Metal housing for electrical control devices



Oct. 19, 1943.

H. A. SEDGWICK METAL HOUSING FOR ELECTRICAL CONTROL DEVICES 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 26, 1941 Oct. 19, 1943. w c 2,332,017

METAL HOUSING FOR ELECTRICAL CONTROL DEVICES Filed Dec. 26, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 19, 1943 METAL Ho'UsING FOR iiiiiie'iiueni.

CONTROL DEVICES r.

Harry A. Sedg'wick, Shorewqod Cutler-Hammer, 1110., Milwa ilie', Wis, acorporation of Delaware Application December 26, 1941 ;SerialNmj 124J01.Y

8 Claims. o1. ere- :1";

invention relates to improvements in metal housings for electricalcontrol devices. I

A primary object of the invention is to pro= vide' a novel form ofhinged connection between the base portion and the cover portion of ametal housing of the aforementioned character.

Another object is to provide a novel and sim ple hinge connectionbetween the cover and base portions of a metal housing enablingremovalof the: cover portion from the base portion upon a predetermineddegree of opening of the'forme'r. Another and more specific object istoprovide a one-piece sheet metal hinge member which is rigidly andpermanently attached to one of the housing portions and adapted forcooperation with the wallstof an opening formed inthe other housingportion. 1

Another object is to provide a hinge connec-' tion for the base andcover portions of a housing which is adapted for vertical mounting upona wall or other suitable support. v

Another object is to provide novel meansfor insuring proper placement ofthe hinge member or members with. respect to the cover portion of ahousing, whereby rigid attachment oi said members to said cover portion,as by spot welding, is facilitated.

Anotherobject is to provide a novel arrange ment of parts whereby thehinge connections between thebase and cover portions are substantiallyentirely concealed in the closed p'o'si tion'of the cover portion. 1

Another object is to'provide a novel form of 1atomn device for use witha hdiisirig'whose base and cover portions are so hinged, whereby thedegree of telescoping or closing movement of the cover portion withrespect" to the base portion i'spr'edetermined;

Another" object is to provide" a" novel" arrange merit" of casingportions" and hinges whereby at leastninetydegrees ofopenin'g movementof the cover portion is required to'provid'e' for separa"'' ti'onthereoifrom the base portion; I Anotherobject is toprovi'de*noiie1- andsimplemeans whereby a cover portion having hinges the aforementioned charactermay be rendered non-removable =froni the base portion oi theiioiismez-irdesired. 7

Other objects-and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear. I

The accompanying: drawings illustrate certain embodimen'ts of theinvention which win-now be de's'ci ib'ed; it being understoowtnat theembodirii'efits illustl ated are-susceptible of modification in respecton certain structural: details thereof witnoiit'deeartine irorii thescopeor the appended claims. j

Figure i-i's a new on a reduced scare, partly side'el'evaition to showtiieiatcmirgmeans-andpartly" broken Way to provide an interior, View ofthe hinges affording a" separable connection between the base and-coverportions of. the house Fig 2 is a. fragmentary sectionalview; normalsize; onthe, line 2:2 or Fig. 1 ,=showing'the' means for latching thecover in closed position and for limiting l the degree of telescoping orclosing movementoi thev latter:

Fig. 3 is' ,8"viBW;-1part1fy in sectionpartly: inelevatiom showingcertainelementsinthe relativepositions thereofillustrated in Fig.- 2;.

Fig: 4 a fragmentary perspectweview show in one of the membersafiordinga'hinged; connection betweenthe" base and cover portions of the housing-the cover portion-being shown in' its closedpositiori w Fig 5 is-afragmentary sectional view,- on the line 5-5 of Fig-.- le -with thecover portion of el i ei r lse pqs m w 6 ..ez a e ma .r s me YEW. m e smi r-i he i .5P %fii. 1 th co r p rtionm. its fully opened positioninwhich position it may b pni e e r h e P ina, ie; 7 1s rrgegn fitariil setionai View s la to Figs. 5' and 6, but lust ga- 51 modified-form ofhinge, whmhis rigidlyat'ta ed to theo'ute'r sii'ri'ab' of the'c'o'iierfioi'tionwher; fiifef le iffiiliei ee'iee 'fi n Fig". .8 is affagnielntargz perspectiile' View s the aa jaeen --rece tne'ioeverportibmt sure propes' ositivninesor the l iinge prior to ne'iiisecurement or hinge to the: Gavlioffififlfgiaj' by spot weldingt o Fig.11 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the hinges, showing theextrusions or bosses formed thereon, and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the recesses formed inthe inner surface of the cover portion to accommodate the hingebosses-the contour of the hinge being shown in dotted lines.

Referring first to that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and9 to 12, the numeral I5 designates the base portion of a housing for anelectrical control devicesaid base portion being formed in any suitablemanner from a onepiece sheet metal blank to provide bottom side and endwalls and an open front. A cover member I6 is also formed in anysuitable manner from a one-piece sheet metal blank to provide top, sideand end walls and'an open back-the length of the side and end walls ofthe cover being such that the same is adapted to telescopically fit overor surround the side and end walls of base portion I5.

Although in the particular form of housing illustrated the cover portionI6 is shown as having a depth substantially equal to that of the baseportion, it is to be understood that the hinges herein disclosed, by aslight reduction in the width of the portions thereof secured to oneside wall or flange portion of the cover, may be used in conjunctionwith a metal housing wherein the top wall of the cover is adapted toseat against the front edge of the base portion.

The base portion I5 of the housing is provided in one side wall I5thereof with two or more relatively narrow substantiallyrectangularopenings I1 and I8 which are longitudinally alined with each other andspaced predetermined distances from the respective end walls I5 and I5of base portion I5 and a predetermined distance from the front edge ofsaid side wall.

The cover portion I6 has rigidly secured to the inner surface of sidewall or flange I6- thereof, as by spot welding, the flat portions I9 I9of a pair of like punched and stamped sheet metal hinge members I9,I9said members I9 being spaced from each other a center, distancecorresponding to the center distance between said openings I1 and I8.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, although the height or vertical lengthof members I9 is only slightly less than the length of therespectiveopenings I1 and I8, the arrangement is such that the body portions ofmembers I9 are moved downwardly to effect offsetting thereof withrespect to the horizontal walls of said openings I1 and I8 in the hingedor assembled relationship of the cover and base portions of thehousingthe hinge members I 9 being provided with downwardly openingsubstantially rectangular notches I9 (see Fig. 4)' to provide for suchoffsetting. Said notches are adapted to provide downwardly facinghorizontal edges I9 I9 which seat or bear against the lower end walls ofthe respective openings I1 and I8. i

The hinge members I9 as produced have their intermediate portions I9(Fig. 4) bent or curved as shown, whereby the horizontal bearing edges I9 thereof are in the form of a curve or are to facilitate movementthereof through the openings I1 and I8 in openingor closing the coverportion I6 with respect to housing portion I5. The vertical walls I9 ofthe aforementioned notches I9 are adapted to abut or engage the innersurface of side wall It upon opening of cover portion I6 to limit thedegree of opening movement of the latter--as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

As best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, members I 9 have fiat inner endportions I9 defined in part by the vertical walls I 9 of the respectivenotches IS -said flat end portions being angled toward the inner surfaceof the end wall Iii to abut or engage the latter when cover portion I6is in its closed positionthe primary purpose of such engagement being toinsure against rattling or noise produced by relative movement of thecasing parts when in closed position.

With particular reference to Fig. 6, it is apparent that when coverportion I6 is fully opened the same may be readily removed from baseportion I5 by merely lifting said cover vertically upward until thehinge members I 9 are bodily alined with the respective openings I1 andI8 (that is, when the upper edges of members I9 abut the upper end wallsof the respective openings), whereupon the hinge members I9 may bewithdrawn from said openings by lateral bodily movement of the coverportion I6 away from base portion I5.

Hinging connection of cover portion I6 to base portion I5 is effectedwith the parts in the last mentioned positions thereof-it beingunderstood that when hinge members I9 are inserted inwardly throughopenings I1 and I8 to provide clearance between the edges I9, Ii! of thenotches with respect to the inner surface of said wall I5 of the baseportion the cover portion may be lowered to provide for engagement ofedge portions I9 29 of the notches with the respective lower end wallsof said openings I7 and I8.

As will be apparent from Fig. 6, it is necessary that cover portion I6be arranged at an angle displaced at least slightly more than ninetydegrees from the closed position thereof to effect either hinging orunhinging thereof with respect tobase portion I5the lower end wall I6 ofcover portion It being required to clear both the side wall Ifi and thelower end wall I5 of base portion I 5 in each instance. This arrangementis advantageous in that it insures against any possibility of unhingingof cover portion It from base portion I 5 except when the former isswung to substantially its extreme open position illustrated in Fig. 6;whereas the construction and arrangement of the hinges are such as toinsure against binding or frictional engagement of the end walls ofcover portion I6 with respect to base portion I5 during opening orclosing movement of the former.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 9 to 12, it will be noted that eachhinge member I9 has formed at predetermined points on its fiat portionISI a pair of depressions I9 and I9 as an incident to extrusion from theopposite surface of portion I9 of a pair of substantially cylindricalbosses or projections I9 and I9 (Figs. 10 and 11). The side wall II": ofcover portion I6 is provided at predetermined points on its innersurface with two like sets of depressions or recesses-one set of whichis shown at I6' and I6 in Figs. 10 and 12. Said recesses IIS and I6 maybe formed in any suitable manner, such as by milling or drilling thesame, or by means of suitable pressure dies. In practice the recess I6of each set is preferably of substantially circular form in transversecross section to freely receive, but with a rather. close fit, theextrusion or boss I9 whereas the recess IIi of each set is preferably.of elongated -.s ubstantially elliptis cal contour, .as shown. By thisarrangement the manual zinsertionof bosses 19 and lll 'into therespective recesses 16 and 16 is .facilitatedq it being understood thatupon reception of boss 49 by recess lt the boss I9 will be received byrecess ill at some point intermediate the length of the latterwherebymember l9 will be restrained against lateral movement in any directionwith respect to side wall l6 pending rigid attachment of the former tothe latter, as by spot welding. I

Also in practice the height of bosses 419 and 13 is slightly greaterthan the depth of the respective recesses [=6 and. lfii-esuch additional.or I

excess height of said bosses being eliminated as an incident to spotwelding of member 19 to side wail Mia at said points, whereby theflatportion w is brought into engagement with the inner surface of saidside wall 16 as shown in Fig. 10. I

The aforementioned means for limiting the degree of closing ortelescoping movement of cover portion 16 with respect to base'portionl'iof the housing preferably comprises an angle bar .or bracket :28, oneportion 20 of which is rigidly secured flatwise to the outer surface ofside wall I in a predetermined relationship to the contour thereof, asby spot welding, orin any other .suitablemanner. The portion of bracket20 extends outwardly at substantially a right angle to portion wethereof, whereby said portion 26? is adapted to act as an abutment forthe lower-edge 116 of side wall [6 of the cover to limit the degree ofclosing movement of the latter, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.-

A punched and stamped sheet metal latch member 2.1 is pivotallysupported at a predetermined point upon the side wall Hi of the cover asby means .of aheaded :pi-n 22-the upset shank end .ofwhich is shown at2-2 in Figs. 2 and 3; member 21 being offset inwardly, as shown at 21 inFigs. 1 and 2 to accommodate the head of pin 22 and to provide forparallel spacing of the main bodyiof member 21 a predetermined distancefrom the side wall i=6. Member 2| is provided an rextension'tl locatedin the plane .of the main'body thereof (Fig. 2) said extension having aforward curved cam edge 21 (Fig. l) which-cooperates with the edge 20 ofbracket portion 20 to effect counterclockwise rotation of member 21 asan incident to closing of cover 1x6. Extension 2P is further providedwith a rearwardly angled cam edge 2| (Fig. l) which cooperates with theaforementioned edge 2 of bracket portion-l!!! to resiliently andreleasably hold cover 1 6 in closed position, under the bias of a spring23, which tends to rotate member 21 in a clock-wise direction, ashereinafter described. I

I Spring 23 is preferably of substantially U-. shape, as shown in Figs.1' and"3--the same having an offset end portion 23 which isinsertedinwardly through an opening 16 (Fig. 3) in side wall M3 The body portionof spring 23 is bowed or bent to extend around the pin 22- the other endof said spring having an end ,portion fi -which is bent to outwardlyopening substantially semi-circular form to provide for pressureengagement with the shank .of a pin 24, between the head 'Z'Mof thelatter and member 2|; the reduced shank end of pin 24 penetrating acorresponding countersunk openingin said memher 2! and being upsetagainst the walls of the countersink, and in a substantially flushrelationship to the outer surcfacelof member ZLas best illustrated indotted lines at 24 in Fig. 2.- The spring 23 thus acts to bias member 21to rotate in a clockwise direct-ion,- -whereas in the I open position ofcover portion [6 such rotation manual release of the latch against thebias of 7 spring 2 3- .one or more fingers being placed behind saidflange to provide for pulling or rotate ing member 2| in :acounterclockwise direction. Member 21 is provided at its inner-edge withan integral outwardly extending lug 21 which is positioned inslightly'spaced parallel relation to the portion]!! of bracket 20 whencover I6 is closed (Figs. 1 and 2). Lug 2H and portion 20 I are providedwith alined perforations, shown in dotted lines at 24 and 20 in saidfigures, to provide-for insertion of the hasp or staple of a padlockthrough said openings, whereby the cover may be locked in closedposition.

InFig. 1 I have shown a pivoted handle 26 which provides for frontopera-tion :of a motor startertor other switching or control device tobe enclosed within the housing l5, l6. Inasmuch as this operatingmechanism forms nopart of the present invention further descriptionthereof is deemed unnecessary. I I The upper and lower corners of thefiat free end portions l9 of the hinge members are preferably rounded orcurved as shown at l-il and 19 (Figs. 1 and 4) to facilitate orinitially guide the insertion thereof through the aforementionedopenings I! and [8.

As will be apparent from consideration of Fig. 1; although I have hereindisclosed the prefer-em tial use of a movable cover portion 16 carryingI the hinge members 49 for cooperation with the openings I1 and it inthe base portion I5-it-is obvious that by a slight modification theportion It might be utilized as the fixed or base portion of thehousing, with the portion I5 serving as the cover portion telescopingthereintothe hinges l9 and openings I! and 58 remaining in therespective positions illustrated. In such a modification the handle 25would be transferred to the portion l5 serving as a cover, whereas thelatch member 2! and bracket 20 might be per mitted to remain in therelative positions thereof illustrated. 1 I I In the device of Figfl,which may be assumed to be a sectional view similar to Fig. 5, the baseportion i5 of the housing may be identical in size and shape with thecorresponding portion aforedescribed, and the same is preferablylikewise provided with a pair of openings, one of which is shown at It.The cover portion 26 is substantially like the cover portion 16aforedescribedexcept that the end Walls one of which is shown at 26) andthe top wall 26 are made slightly shorter than the corresponding wallsof portion IE, and preferably with a lesser degree of overlap of thecover pcrtion 2.5 with respect to base portion 45. This shortening ismade possible by the fact that the side wall 2%- is adapted to fit quiteclosely against the side wall 15 (Fig. 1), due tothe fact. that it isunnecessary to accommo date theflat portions 2'! of the punched andstamped sheet metal hinge members (one of which is shown at 21)therebetween. As shown in Fig. 7 the hinge members 21 are structurallyand functionally quite similar to the members l9 aforedescribed.However, since the fiat portions 2! of said hinge members 21 areattached. by spot welding to the exterior surface of side wall Mi ofcover portion 26, said members are provided with intermediate curvedportions 27 and flat free end portions 21 corresponding to the portionsl9 and Hi of members Ill-whereas the fiat end portions 21 are connectedwith curved portions 21 by substantially straight portions, designatedby the numeral 21 in Fig. 7, and arranged at a proper angle to therespective flat portions 21 The members 21 are notched or cut awaybeneath the intermediate portions 2! and 21*, as shown in dotted linesat 2'1 and 27 in Fig. '7, for the purpose aforedescn'bed.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8, all parts may be like those shownin Figs. 1 to 6 and 9 to l2with the exception that each hinge member I9is additionally provided, preferably at the upper edge thereof as shown,with an upwardly opening-notch I9 whereby an integral lug or tongue I 9is provided. After hinged assembly of the base and cover portions l5 andI6 of the housing the lugs it may be bent laterally, as by means of pairof pliers, to the position thereof shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8-saidlugs 19" then acting to positively prevent unhinging of cover portion itfrom base portion I5 of the housing.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a onepiece punched and stamped sheetmetal hinge member having a flat end portion, said portion having aplurality of bosses formed integrally with one surface to facilitatepositioning thereof and rigid attachment thereof to one section of ametal housing, said hinge member having a second flat end portionarranged in a plane at an acute angle to the plane of said firstmentioned end portion, the integral portion of said member between saidflat portions being bent to arcuate form, said member having a notchformed in the lower edge thereof between said flat portions andunderlying said arcuate portion, the upper end wall of said notch beingadapted for sliding engagement with the bottom wall of an opening ofsuitable form in another section of the metal housing, one side wall ofsaid notch being adapted to abut said last mentioned section under givenconditions to limit the degree of sliding movement of said member in onedirection, said second fiat end portion having a, notch formed thereinand opening to one edge thereof to define a lug integral therewith, andsaid lug being bendable laterally after assembly of said housingsections in hinged relationship to each other to positively preventunhinging thereof.

2. In combination, a metal housing comprising a base portion and a coverportion adapted for telescopic relationship to each other when in closedposition, a straight side wall of one of said portions having aplurality of relatively narrow substantially rectangular openings formedtherein in spaced relationship to the open end thereof, a correspondingnumber of one-piece punched and stamped sheet metal hinge members eachrigidly and permanently secured at one end to the corresponding sidewall of the other portion of said housing, each of said hinge membershaving a flat free end portion of a height only slightly less than theheight of the respective opening, the intermediate portion of each hingemember being bent to arcuate form in horizontal cross section, eachhinge member having a downwardly opening rectangular notch of a widthsubstantially coextensive with said portion of arcuate form, thearrangement being such that the free end portions of said hinge membersmay be jointlyinserted through the respective openings and the hingemembers then lowered to provide for sliding engagement of the end wallsof said notches with the respective lower end walls of said openings,the side walls of said notches adjacent to the free end portions of saidhinge members being adapted to act as stops to limit the degree ofopening movement of said housing portions relatively to each other, andsaid housing portions being entirely separable from each other at saidlimit ofopening movement thereof by, sequential upward and lateralbodily movement of said hinge members relatively to said openings.

3. In combination, a metal housing comprisinga base portion and a coverportion adapted for telescopic relationship to each other when in closedposition, a straight side wall of one of said portions having aplurality of relatively narrow substantially rectangular penings formedtherein in spaced relationship to the open end thereof, a correspondingnumber of one-piece punched and stamped sheet metal hinge members eachrigidly and permanently secured at one end to the corresponding sideWall of the other portion of said housing, each of said hingemembers'having a flat free end portion of a height only slightly less than theheight of the respective opening, the intermediate portion of each hingemember being bent to arcuate form in horizontal cross section, eachhinge member having a downwardly opening rectangular notch of a widthsubstantially coextensive with said portion of arcuate form, thearrangement being such that the free end portions of said hinge membersmay be jointly insorted through the respective openings and the hingemembers then lowered to provide for sliding engagement of the end wallsof said notches with the respective lower end walls of said openings,the side walls of said notches adjacent to the free end portions of saidhinge members being adapted to act as stops to limit the degree ofopening movement of said housing portions relatively toeach other, saidhousing portions being entirely separable from each other at said limitof opening movement thereof by sequential upward and lateral bodilymovement of said hinge members relatively to said openings, and thetelescopic relationship of said housing portions being such as torequire at least substantially ninety degrees of opening movementthereof as a prerequisite to unhinging thereof.

4. In combination, a metal housing comprising'a base portion and a coverportion adapted for telescopic relationship to each other when in closedposition, a straight side wall of one of said portions having aplurality of relatively narrow substantially rectangular openings formedtherein in spaced relationship to the .open end thereof, a correspondingnumber of one-piece punched and stamped sheet metal hinge members eachrigidly and permanently secured at one end to the corresponding sidewall of the other portion of said housing, each of said hinge membershaving a flat free end portion of a height only slightly less than theheight of the-respective opening, the intermediate portion of each hingemember being bent to al enate form in horizontal cross section, eachhinge member having a downwardly opening rectangular notch of a widthsubstantially coextensive with said portion of arcuate form, thearrangement being such that the free end portions of said hinge membersmay be jointly inserted through the respective openings and the hingemembers then lowered to provide for sliding engagement of the end wallsof said notches with the respective lower end walls of said openings,the side walls of said notches adjacent to the free end portions of saidhinge members being adapted to act as stops to limit the degree ofopening movement of said housing portions relatively to eachother, saidhousing portions being entirely separable from each other at said limitof opening movement thereof by sequen- 'tial upward and lateral bodilymovement of said hinge members relatively to said openings, said hingesacting to limit the degree of telescoping of said base and coverportions at one side of said housing, and a bracket carried by one ofsaid portions and engageable by an edge of the other portion to limitthe degree of telescoping of said portions at the other side of saidhousing.

5. In combination, a metal housing comprising a base portion and a coverportion adapted for telescopic relationship to each other when in closedposition, a straight side wall of one of said portions having aplurality of relatively narrow substantially rectangular openings formedtherein in spaced relationship to the open end thereof, a correspondingnumber of one-piece punched and stamped sheet metal hinge members eachrigidly and permanently secured at one end to the corresponding sidewall of the other portion of said housing, each of said hinge membershaving a flat free end portion of a height only slightly less than theheight of the respective opening, the intermediate portion of each hingemember being bent to arcuate form in horizontal cross section, eachhinge member having a downwardly opening rectangular notch of a widthsubstantially coextensive with said portion of arcuate form, thearrangement being such that the free end portions of said hinge membersmay be jointly inserted through the respective openings and the hingemembers then lowered to provide for sliding engagement of the end wallsof said notches with the respective lower end walls of said openings,the side walls of said notches adjacent to the free end portions of saidhinge members being adapted to act as stops to limit the degree ofopening movement of said housing portions relatively to each other, saidhousing portions being entirely separable from each other at said limitof opening movement thereof by sequential upward and lateral bodilymovement of said hinge members relatively to said openings, said hingesacting to limit the degree of telescoping of said base and coverportions at one side of said housing, a bracket carried by one of saidportions and engageable by an edge of the other portion to limit thedegree of telescoping of said portions at the other side of saidhousing, said bracket having an opening formed therein, a lug membercarried by the other portion of said housing and adapted to bepositioned in adjacent parallel relationship to said bracket when saidhousing portions are in closed position, and said lug member having anopening alined with said bracket opening to provide for insertionthrough said openings jointly of a'p'adlock-hasp or otherfastening-member: 1

6. A metal housing for electrical control devices comprisingdncombination, a rectangular box-like sheet metal baseportion having anopen front, a sheetmetal cover portion having 'a peripheralflangeadapted to surround said base portionadjac'ent to the open end ofthe latter,

said base portion having aw'pair of vertically alined relatively narrowrectangular openings formed in one'side'wall adjacent to the frontedgeof the latter, a pair of punched and stamped one-piece sheet metalhinge members each having a flat portion rigidly attached tothe coverflange at said sideof the housing, each hinge member having anintermediate portion curved inwardly in convex relationship tothe innersurface of said flat portion,- each hinge member having a 'd-ownwardlyopening substantially rectanabut the inner surface of the side wall ofsaid 7 base portion when the cover portion is in fully closed position,said free end portion defining one side wall of said notch which isadapted to abut said last mentioned inner surface in the fully openedposition of said cover portion, said cover flange cooperating with saidhinge members to positively prevent bodily separation of I said coverportion from said base portion except when said cover portion is movedsubstantially ninety degrees from the fully closed position thereof. I

7. A metal housing for electrical control devices comprising, incombination, a rectangular box-like sheet metal base portion having anopen front, 'a sheet metal cover portion having a peripheral flangeadapted to surround said base portion adjacent to the open end of thelatter, said base portion having a pair of vertically alined relativelynarrow rectangular openings formed in one side Wall adjacent to thefront edge of the latter, a pair of punched and stamped one-piece sheetmetal hinge members each having a flat portion, said fiat portions eachhaving a pair of substantially cylindrical bosses extruded therefrom andprojecting a predetermined distance from one surface thereof, the innersurface of said cover flange at said side of the housing having pairs ofrecesses formed therein to accommodate portions of the length of saidbosses to facilitate positioning of said hinge members with respect tosaid cover portion, the excess length of said bosses being eliminated byfusion as an incident to spot welding at points alined with said bosseswhereby said flat portion is brought into contact with said flange andrigidly attached thereto, each hinge member having an intermediateportion of arcuate contour in horizontal cross section, the lower end ofeach arcuate portion being cut away to provide a horizontal edge adaptedto slidably bear against the lower end wall of the opening associatedtherewith and to provide a vertical edge which is adapted to abut theinner surface of said side wall to limit the degree of opening movementof said cover portion, and said cover portion in fully opened positionbeing normally bodily removable from saiclbase portion bysequentialupward and lateral movement of said hinge members relatively to saidopenings.

8. A metal housing for electrical control devices comprising, incombination, a rectangular box-like sheet metal base portion having anopen front, a sheet metal cover portion having a peripheral flangeadapted to surround said base portion adjacent to the open end of thelatter, said base portion havinga pair of vertically alined relativelynarrow rectangular openings formed in one side wall adjacent to thefront edge of the latter, a pair of punched and stamped one-piece sheetmetal hinge members each having a fiat portion, said flat portions eachhaving a pair of substantially cylindrical bosses extruded therefrom andprojecting a predetermined distance from one surface thereof, the innersurface of said cover flange at said side of the housing having pairs ofrecesses formed therein to accommodate portions of the length of saidbosses to facilitate positioning of said hinge members with respect tosaid cover portion, the excess length of said bosses being eliminated byfusion as an incident to spot welding at points alined with said bosses,whereby said fiat portion is brought into contact with said flange andrigidly attached thereto, each hinge member having an intermediateportion of arcuate contour in horizontal cross section, the lower end ofeach arcuate portion being cut away to provide a horizontal edge adaptedto slidably bear against the lower end Wall of the opening associatedtherewith and to provide a vertical edge which is adapted to abut theinner surface of said side Wall to limit the degree of opening movementof said cover portion, said cover portion in fully opened position beingnormally bodily removable from said base portion by sequential upwardand lateral movement of said hinge members relatively to said openings,and means comprising a lug formed integrally with the free end portionof each hinge member, said lugs be ing bendable at will after hingedassembly of said base and cover portions to positively pre ventunhinging of the latter from the former.

HARRY A, SEDGl/VICK.

